We expect a lot of objections once Duterte's aide testifies
House prosecutors in the Philippines are preparing for significant defense objections as they call Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff to Vice President Sara Duterte, to testify. The testimony is part of an impeachment trial regarding alleged assassination threats made by Duterte against President Marcos and other officials.
Why it matters
This trial represents a major political crisis in the Philippines, testing the stability of the current administration and the legal accountability of high-ranking officials.
MANILA, Philippines - House prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora on Monday said that the prosecution panel is expecting a lot of objections from the defense team once Vice President Sara Duterte's chief of staff Zuleika Lopez testifies in the impeachment trial against Duterte.
"We expect a lot of objections regarding the presentation of Atty. Lopez. Of course, last week with [NBI] agent [John Mark] Calilung, they tried hard to block us from presenting him, we expect the same with Atty. Lopez," Zamora told the Inquirer in an interview.
This remark came as the Senate impeachment court on Thursday issued a subpoena to Lopez upon the request by the prosecution panel.
Lopez will be presented to testify as the court examines impeachment Article IV, which pertains to Duterte's alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
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